Learning to Listen

Learning to Listen
Core Principles for the Involvement
of Children and Young People
Core principles for children and young people’s
participation in the planning, delivery and
evaluation of government policies and services
Foreword
The Government has set out1 its commitment to designing policies and services around the
needs of children and young people. Ministers across departments are committed to giving
children and young people a real say and real choices about the government policies and
services that affect them. We want children and young people to feel that they can influence
the services they receive. We want to see them contributing to and benefiting from their
local communities. We want them to feel heard and valued and to be able to make a
difference.This document represents an important step towards achieving that vision.
The best government services are already engaging effectively with children and young
people. We want to make that the norm.The result of effective participation should be
better policies and services. Getting this right should also help us to achieve our key
ambitions for children and young people: preventing and tackling the social exclusion
of the significant minority of children and young people who are experiencing poverty
and disadvantage; and making sure every young person benefits fully from the services
and policies designed to help them.
Achieving this step-change, and increasing the range and effectiveness of children
and young people’s involvement in the design and provision of government policies and
services will be a gradual process, taking time and commitment. In some areas departments
may need to examine how they allocate resources for policy development and
communications so that, as is already the case on occasions, the different needs of children
and young people in the processes are systematically included. For the most part, however,
this is about a change of culture as much as a question of new resources.
Our starting point, therefore, is to set out core principles which departments have agreed to
follow.The principles in this document are designed to give all government departments a
solid framework on which to base their plans to increase the involvement of children and
young people in policy and service design and delivery. Embedding this approach right across
government will not be achieved overnight, but this document prepared by the Children and
Young People’s Unit makes suggestions for how the process might begin.
John Denham,
Minister for Young People
1
Tomorrow’s Future – Building a
Strategy for Children and Young
People CYPU March 2001
Guidance by the Children and
Young People’s Unit
Introduction
The Government wants children and young people to have more opportunities to get
involved in the design, provision and evaluation of policies and services that affect them
or which they use. Ministers will be looking to their individual departments and agencies
to develop robust but realistic arrangements to make sure this happens. Actively involving
children and young people in this way will produce better services. Ultimately that will
produce better outcomes for children and young people, as well as stronger
communities, as departments and agencies across government draw on children and
young people’s contributions to shape and tailor services to meet real, rather than
presumed needs.
The purpose of this guidance is to:
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•
introduce the core principles on which this work should be based;
•
provide departments with some early advice and background and with signposts
to additional help, so that departments can develop effective plans and
•
let departments know the broad timetable for action.
The aim is to provide a common framework within which departments can develop
tailored policies, action plans and effective practice to implement this important work
successfully.The principles build on work already underway across government, for
example in the Department of Health’s Quality Protects programme and the Connexions
Service.The principles are also close to those being promoted within local authorities
by the Local Government Association and the National Youth Agency. Within the
devolved administrations the Scottish Executive and the Welsh Assembly are also
working to increase participation.
The principles reflect Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of
the Child (to which the UK is a signatory) that children and young people have a right
to say what they think about matters that affect them and a right to have those views
taken seriously.
This guidance is divided into the following sections:
Section 1 What do we mean by children and young people’s ‘participation’?
Section 2 Why should children and young people be involved?
Section 3 The core principles
Section 4 Practical issues for action
Section 5 Next steps and action plans
Section 6 Annex – useful contacts
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Section 1
What do we mean by children and young people’s ‘participation’?
In encouraging departments to consider how children and young people should be
involved we include action at a number of levels:
•
where individual decisions are being taken about children’s own lives. For example,
the Children Act 1989 says that looked after children should be involved in decisions
about their care package, and statutory guidance is being developed to ensure that
children and young people with special education needs are where possible involved
in all decisions relating to their education;
•
where services for, or used by children are being developed or provided locally.
For example, many local partnerships and local authorities have discussion groups
and special consultation events to influence the design and provision of play
facilities, leisure, transport and guidance services and
•
where national policies and services are being developed or evaluated. For
example, where departments are producing consultation documents and using
website design to seek children and young people’s views on policy proposals.
Action might involve a range of approaches. Children and young people may be consulted
at the beginning of policy developments in order to stimulate thinking and ideas. Smaller
numbers of children and young people might be active members in a decision making
body responsible for the services, and some children and young people will even be
involved in service delivery. We are using participation to cover the whole range of
activities recognising that no one focus or method will be appropriate in all cases.
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Case Study Investing in children – County Durham and Darlington
The Investing in Children initiative has been
in existence for nearly four years. It is a health
service/local authority initiative but also involves
other service providers such as local police
stations, youth and community centres and
schools. At its heart is the belief that children
and young people can make a valuable
contribution to debate about public services.
Following early consultations, one of the
primary issues the young people pointed
out was that anyone over 14 had to pay full
adult fares on local bus services. This made
it very difficult for many of the young people,
especially those without access to family
transport, to travel to after school or weekend
activities, meaning many young people were
bored and isolated. Following research and
representations from a group of young
people involved in Investing in Children,
County Durham agreed to change this
policy so that full fares are now only paid
by young people over 16.
Another important aspect of the initiative
is a membership scheme for local services
providing evidence that children and young
people have influence over how services are
provided. Aycliffe Village Primary School is a
member of the scheme. Children at the school
have been involved in identifying improvements
to school premises, such as new blinds for the
stuffy school library, improved strip lighting in
classrooms and new picnic seating for
lunchtimes.The suggestions were very much
valued by the Head Teacher and staff as a
means for improving the learning and play
environment. At Crook Police Station (also a
member) the policing of a particular estate was
changed to take account of the views of young
people, leading to a reduction in tensions
between the police and older community
residents, and young people.The power of the
membership scheme comes from the fact that
evaluation is based upon the testimony of
children and young people themselves.
The action departments take needs to reflect the age of the children, their maturity and
understanding and the extent to which their parents and carers will also be involved.The
principles in this document apply to departmental policies of participation by children
and young people of all ages up to 18.The younger the child, the more imaginative the
practices may need to be, but we are not setting a lower age limit below which
departments need not consider participation policies.
This guidance does not offer a single blue-print or a rigid model but does seek to help
departments develop their individual thinking and plans.
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Section 2
Why should children and young
people be involved?
There is already a lot of evidence – for example in the case studies in this document
and in the documents listed in the resources and publications index on the Children
and Young People’s Unit website www.dfee.gov.uk/cypu - that involving children and young
people in the planning, delivery and evaluation of government services brings benefits.
•
Better services. It is accepted that the effectiveness of services depends on listening
and responding to customers. Giving children and young people an active say in
how policies and services are developed, provided, evalued and improved should
ensure that policies and services more genuinely meet their needs.
•
Promoting citizenship and social inclusion. Promoting early engagement in public
and community life is crucial to sustaining and building a healthy society.
As successive reports from the Social Exclusion Unit have shown, listening to young
people is a powerful means of persuading disadvantaged young people that they
count and can contribute.
•
Personal and social education and development. Good participation opportunities
produce more confident and resilient young people. Promoting citizenship is already
an important part of the Government’s education agenda, both pre-16 through the
national curriculum and post-16. Departments and agencies that have a local presence
can support participation projects that play their part in developing these skills.
The benefits of better policies and services provide the most immediate and powerful
driver for action, and the case studies in this document describe those benefits, using a
range of approaches in a range of settings.
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Case Study Connexions
Connexions is a service that offers a range of
guidance and support for 13-19 year olds to
help make the transition to adult life a smooth
one.The service is influenced by young people’s
involvement. For example, the National Youth
Agency was commissioned to work with a
group of young people to look at ways of
ensuring that children and young people have
a voice in its development.The young people
involved constructed a website to share the
outcomes of their meeting with others
www.youthconsultation.co.uk/tywnya.The
views gathered form a significant element of
a submission to Ministers on the future of the
Youth Service.
Local Connexions partnerships also involve
young people in their work to improve what
they do. For example, in Coventry and
Warwickshire young people have been
involved in the recruitment of the Connexions
Executive Director, local service manager and
over 35 personal advisers. Candidates were
asked to make presentations to a panel of
young people and the young people’s views
counted for 40% of the overall assessment for
each candidate.The Isle of White Connexions
Service has employed a dozen young people
to undertake surveys with other children and
young people.The young people have
completed in excess of 1000 questionnaires
and will also analyse the information which
was gathered to inform the council’s best value
review, the local sexual health advisory
service and the adolescent mental health team.
Case Study Children and young people’s involvement
in the work of the Children and Young People’s Unit
The Children and Young People’s Unit has
set up a Young People’s Advisory Forum to
advise the Minister for Young People and
the Unit, in their work.There are 30 young
people aged 11-17 on the Forum. The
members are volunteers nominated by
small and larger children’s organisations and
children’s participation projects, and from a
mix of communities and areas of England.
Some members have been helping to assess
proposals from partnerships rolling out the
new Children’s Fund programme this year.
Other Forum members have worked with
a group of young people from Derbyshire
Social Services to develop consultation
booklets to obtain the views of children and
young people on the strategy for all children
and young people that the Unit is developing.
Using creative arts and technology, the young
people have developed two ‘fun’ child-friendly
versions of the adult consultation document
for children (aged over 13 and 12 and
under), to seek their views either via the
internet, or in facilitated discussion groups.
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Case Study Children and young people’s involvement in the West Ham
and Plaistow New Deal for communities programme
A cornerstone of the New Deal for
Communities programme is that regeneration
only works when it actively involves local
people. The Children’s Society has been
working in partnership with the West Ham
and Plaistow NDC programme to give local
young people a better say in NDC activities
and decision-making.
Young people aged 6-16 were in April 2001
invited to an open forum entitled Tell the
police how to do their job.Young people
suggested ways in which the police could
develop better relationships with young
people locally – one of which was for police
officers to take part in regular sports and arts
activities at a local youth club. Consequently
local police feel they are developing a better
understanding of the difficulties young people
in poor neighbourhoods face. They have
become advocates for young people with
other government service contacts locally,
pointing out the need for more opportunities
for them to take part in positive activities and
to be given alternatives if they are excluded
from school.The police have assisted in
organising events, such as a day trip for 50 to
the police recreation ground in Chigwell and
a disco.The young people have benefited from
getting to know the police in a friendly
environment, and to shift their perspective of
them as the enemy. Whilst there is a lot more
to be done all agree that the dialogue is
valuable.
Case Study Museum fever
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A Lifelong Learning Partnership project with
Salford Museum & Art Gallery and Salford
Foyer encourages young people aged 16-24
years to get actively involved in their local
museum and gallery.
professional artists they have developed skills
in web design, photography, video editing,
exhibition design and marketing. They have
contributed to editions of LifeTimes Link and
the North West Museum Service's Newsletter.
A group of young people has visited museums
and galleries reviewing and commenting on
exhibitions and facilities.The group has designed
its own website www.museum-fever.net, and
has worked closely with museum staff to
research and mount exhibitions and events.
The young people also created their own
exhibition for the art gallery and led a
costumed event for the public in Lark Hill
Place. Working with a wide range of
Members of the group have given presentations
to staff and the Friends' Association at the
museum and to other professionals at
conferences throughout the country.
Members of the group have also signed up
to undertake NVQs in Heritage and Visitor
Care. Work undertaken in the last 6 months
will contribute to this qualification and to
the key skills qualification which they take at
Salford Foyer.
Section 3
Core principles
It will be for every department to determine the priorities for action, to devise their
policies and to set timetables for implementation. No one single response will be
appropriate to all departments. However departments are agreed on a common set of
principles which both will guide their actions and provide a set of standards against
which their progress will be judged.The Children and Young People’s Unit will be
working with the major departments with responsibility for policies and services affecting
children to develop action plans to implement the principles on the following pages.
The Departments that will be developing action plans in the first instance are:
Cabinet Office
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Ministry of Defence
Department for Education and Skills
Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Department of Health
HM Treasury
Home Office
Lord Chancellor’s Department
Department of Transport, Local Government
and the Regions
Department of Work and Pensions
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Core Principles
A visible commitment is made to involving children and
young people, underpinned by appropriate resources to
build a capacity to implement policies of participation
•
There is visible commitment to the principle and practice
from Ministers and senior management teams.
•
Participation is built into the departmental or agency values
and is reflected in strategic planning, delivery, resourcing,
communication and business improvement activities.
•
Opportunities are provided to enable relevant staff to develop
the skills and attitudes to engage effectively with children and
young people.
Children and young people’s involvement is valued
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•
Children and young people are treated honestly.That means
that their expectations are managed and that they are helped
to understand any practical, legal or political boundaries of
their involvement.
•
The contributions of children and young people proportionate
to their age and maturity, are taken seriously and acted upon,
and feedback from children and young people confirms this.
•
Feedback on the impact of children and young people’s
involvement is timely and clear.
Children and young people have equal opportunity to get involved
•
Children and young people are not discriminated against or prevented
from participating effectively on grounds of race, religion, culture,
disability, age, ethnic origin, language or the area in which they live.
•
Departments and agencies take a proactive approach in targeting
those facing greatest barriers to getting involved (for example,
younger children, children and young people from minority
ethnic backgrounds, those living in rural areas or disadvantaged
neighbourhoods, children missing school, young people in the
youth justice system, refugees, traveller children, disabled and
other children with special needs or special personal or family
circumstances) to ensure they are aware of and take up
appropriate opportunities to have their say.
•
Where necessary support and opportunities for training and
development are provided to children and young people so
that they can contribute effectively.
•
Relevant information is available to children and young people
in good time and in appropriate formats, is jargon free, culturally
appropriate and accessible.
Policies and standards for the participation of
children and young people are provided, evaluated
and continuously improved
•
The rationale and success criteria against which progress
will be measured are set out from the start.
•
Children and young people are involved in reviewing
lessons learned.
•
Departments and agencies agree quality standards and codes of
conduct for working with children and young people, and set out
how confidentiality and child protection issues will be handled.
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Section 4
Practical issues for action
If departments and agencies are to implement these principles there are practical issues
to consider. This section sets out steps that departments should take or things that they
will need to bear in mind when developing their policies. Further advice and case studies
are available in the publications listed in the index on the Children and Young People’s
website www.dfee.gov.uk/cypu. Departments may find it helpful early on to read the
short publication Children and Young People’s Participation – Lessons learnt by the Lambeth,
Southwark and Lewisham Health Action Zone (available from the CYPU) which provides a
useful summary of how one organisation approached the tasks of taking stock and
mapping existing activity, as well as developing strategic plans for increasing the extent to
which children and young people were involved in service and policy design and provision.
The Children and Young People’s Unit will also be discussing with departments what
extra support would be useful in helping departments to develop their action plans
and implement this work successfully.
Mapping current practice and expertise
•
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Early discussions with individual departments show that many already have some
initiatives focused on involving children and young people. Most find that there
is not enough information or communication about what is going on in their
departments and agencies. Departments are encouraged to map the extent of
participation initiatives within their organisations or across the services for which
they are responsible. Mapping helps spread good practice and provides a baseline
from which progress and improvement can be assessed. Mapping current expertise
in departments is also a good idea.
Setting realistic objectives and choosing appropriate methods for children
and young people’s participation
•
Being clear at the start about the objectives of any particular consultation or
participation activity is essential. Information should be clear over how children and
young people’s views will be used and when decisions will be made. Honesty on all
sides is needed about what is and is not likely to be influenced, and about how much
decision-making can be shared with children and young people. For example, given
appropriate information, children and young people can appreciate the financial issues
facing those working in government.They can understand that ideas requiring more
money cannot always be followed through quickly or at all.
Case Study Involving young people in the development
of the DfES citizenship website
Young people were involved in the planning
and piloting of the DfES Citizenship website.
Two representatives from Rushymead school
(aged 12 and 17) came to the DfES to talk to
the Citizenship Team about their experiences
of Citizenship education and helped to inform
plans for the website. The Citizenship Team
also ran two workshops with young people,
to look at what they would like so see on the
site.The workshops were arranged as part of
the South London and North London ‘Your
Turn’ (local partnership) events involving
groups of 11-15 year olds.
Once the website was developed, the DfES
held a focus group of 10-15 young people
(invited from schools) in May 2001 to gauge
the site’s user friendliness and relevance to
young people.The young people ranged in
age from 7-16. On the basis of their comments,
significant changes were made to the site.
For example, the team added new graphics
and an audio facility (which reads the text
aloud) to the pupils’ area of the site to make
the site clearer for the very young pupils.
The team also rearranged and reduced the
amount of text for all young people.
Once the changes were made the Citizenship
Team went back to the focus group and asked
for their comments.The response was very
positive.The site is now live.
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•
•
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The range of approaches which departments might consider include:
•
ad hoc and routine suggestion schemes and ways for children and young people
to offer compliments and complaints;
•
formal surveys and questionnaires to find out opinions, much as might be used
for getting at the views of adults about national policies, current services or gaps
in services;
•
consultations exercises.This might include a single large exercise; smaller
discussion groups; creative consultations using drama or music, or games and
activities for younger children and those more comfortable with non-traditional
forms of communication;
•
involving young people directly in providing services.This might include asking
young people: to produce information for other young people; to design ways to
communicate better with children and young people, including using information
technology and other new media; to provide ‘mentor’ advice and help to other
children and young people; to take part in staff development and recruitment
activities; or to help assess plans for implementing services or new initiatives;
•
establishing young people’s advisory or decision-making bodies;
•
membership of main adult-led advisory or decision-making bodies.
More than one approach may be needed in particular circumstances.The important
task will be to tailor activity to the particular issue under consideration and
outcomes being sought. For example a ‘one-size fits all’ advisory panel approach for
each department is not appropriate. Some approaches will be more costly and time
intensive – for the young person as well as the organisation.Trade-offs may be
needed, between the quality of the process versus the speed, or the complexity of
response needed from children and young people. Not all approaches need be
costly to run – but all need sensible planning. Useful further detail on the pros and
cons of the different approaches is set out in The Active Involvement of Young People
in the Connexions Service: Managers Guide and Practitioners Guide (available at
www.connexions.gov.uk) especially in the Practitioners Guide section.
Case Study Cambridge Young Citizen’s Jury
In Cambridge the Young Citizen’s Jury has
recently won a public involvement award for
its work in involving young people in policy
making.The young people conducted a needs
analysis and presented their findings to the
Council.They have collated a wealth of
information about what young people do in
Cambridge. One of the issues to emerge was
that young people find it very expensive to
access many of the recreational facilities, which
means they tend to congregate in public
spaces and this can lead to confrontations
with the police and other adults about their
behaviour. As a result a new youth discount
card has been issued to all young people
between the ages of 10 and 18 allowing
them concessional ticket prices for the
cinema, leisure centres and other activities in
and around Cambridge. It is hoped that this
will cut down youth crime in the area.
Building organisational capacity
•
The effective implementation of policies of children’s participation often requires
particular skills and experience not widely found within the civil service. Staff need to
be supported to think in new ways and be given the confidence and relevant
development opportunities to try new approaches. Children and young people are
sensitive about how they are involved in consultation and policy development, and
where children are involved in an activity departments will need to adapt the style of
meetings and the language used.
•
Organisations with a good track record in these issues, including many led by young
people themselves, can help government departments and agencies develop realistic
plans and think through when and how best to involve young people whatever their
ages and abilities. A list of useful organisations and the kind of support they are able
to offer departments can be found at the end of this document.
•
Some government departments such as the Department of Health and the
Children and Young People’s Unit itself have found it helpful to invite direct
involvement from a voluntary organisation. Involving such organisations can help
departments to kick-start activity. Although as the organisations themselves would
agree, the focus should be on supporting the process and children and young
people, and on ensuring that adult and organisational perspectives do not dominate
on either side.
•
Allocating someone with sufficient influence and the skills and interest to champion
the work and these issues early on is a good idea.
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Case Study Health Action Zone – young people’s visits to GPs
Completed in June 1999, using a mix of focus
groups and in depth interviews, a project by
the Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham Health
Action Zone, was designed to investigate
young people’s views, experiences and
attitudes in relation to health issues, focussing
on GP/practice based healthcare services.
The research identified the following issues:
• Some under 16s thought they had to be
accompanied when they visited their GP
and claimed receptionists had told them
this. A substantial minority of the group
thought receptionist were unfriendly,
miserable, bossy and rude.
• The group demonstrated a lack of
knowledge about how to access help for
emotional/mental problems/stress and very
few talked about STD/sexual health clinics.
One of the main ways the difficulties have
been rectified has been by provision of
training for receptionists. Additionally a poster
has been produced for young people under
16, informing them of their right to ask for a
GP consultation on their own.
Involving more marginal groups and those with quiet voices
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•
Children and young people are not a homogeneous group.There is no single way
to ascertain their views.The most excluded are, almost by definition, the hardest
to reach. No one body can bring the full range of children’s views to any one table.
Departments will need to decide which specific groups of children and young
people to involve, and whether there are particular organisations that can help to
identify children and young people willing and able to take part. Special care should
be taken to include children and young people not traditionally involved, for example,
younger children, children and young people from minority ethnic backgrounds, those
living in rural areas or disadvantaged neighbourhoods, children missing school, young
people in the youth justice system, refugees, traveller children, disabled and other
children with special needs or special personal or family circumstances. Plan for
participants’ special needs: difficulties with physical access or written text or
communication, or lack of suitable equipment may inhibit full participation.
Traditional pen and paper activity can discriminate against those more comfortable
in using non-traditional forms of communication or facing language barriers.
Departments might consider advocacy services, translators and signers.
•
Children and young people facing disadvantage and with previous adverse experience
of government services may present particular challenges. Again departments could
talk with organisations with expertise in reaching out to disengaged children and
young people, on the best approaches and people to involve, especially in the
early stages.
Consider information and support – for adults and the children
and young people
•
Departments should think through what special information adults and young
people may need in order to contribute successfully. This need not be a complex
piece of work – sometimes simply drafting papers and leaflets in less complex
language may be all that is needed to enable children and young people to
understand and contribute.
•
For more complex and especially ongoing activity, children and young people may
need coaching, such as in how to listen, how to present views constructively, or how
to research information.They may need briefing on the background issues in a way
that is accessible for them. They may need assistance in contacting experts so that
their impact is maximised.The high rate of turnover and changing perspective of
young people as they grow older mean that this coaching must be regularly reviewed
and repeated.
•
Confidentiality. Children and young people need to be clear from the start about
how the information and views they share with those working with them may be
used.This should include a written protocol which children and young people can
understand.
•
Departments should consider how young people should receive recognition for
their efforts. Giving them credit in a published document or a speech for their input
is appreciated. Departments may also want to explore the links to be made with
young people’s progress files and CVs, and explore accreditation arrangements.
Case Study Engaging younger children
Save the Children Fund and The Children’s
Society undertook some consultation work
with children aged 2-4 years for the GLA.
Two local authorities were asked to nominate
nurseries to take part in the consultation.The
children were to give their views and perceptions
of London and to do this they were taken on
a ‘sensory walk’.The children were encouraged
to talk about what they saw, smelt, touched,
tasted and heard as they walked along. Some
of the children took photographs and drew
pictures which showed how things look from
their perspective.Their comments about the
traffic, litter, noise and amenities were recorded
and demonstrated that even very young children
can give a useful insight into how much they
already understand about the services provided
by central and local government ("It will be safe
to cross at the traffic lights") and what they
think needs improving ("I saw a lot of rubbish
on the floor").The children’s views are being
fed into the GLA strategy.
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•
The extent of the involvement of parents and carers and the support they might
offer will vary depending on the age and characteristics of the children involved.
Keeping parents in the picture over what is planned is an important issue in
responding to their concerns and expectations. However, as the case study on
engaging younger children shows, there is clear evidence that even very young
children can with the right methods and support make an effective contribution
in their own right.
•
Departments should ensure that there are standards for effective follow-up and
feedback within a sensible timescale. Feedback needs to make clear what is
intended in the short, medium and longer term, and explain why particular
suggestions or priorities could not be taken forward. Participation activity should
be honestly evaluated: not all approaches will be as successful and mistakes will be
made, but it is important that lessons are learned, shared and built on.
•
Finally, there will be occasions when it is not appropriate to involve children and
young people in decision-making, for example because particular decisions have
already been taken and cannot be reversed. Organisations should be open and
honest in such circumstances.
Practical issues
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•
So far as children’s participation in national policy-making and service development
is concerned, children and young people cannot easily be brought to meetings
with adults in London during the school day. Weekend and school holiday activity
and phone and electronic contact are important.
•
When involvement activities include conferences or presentations it is important
to consider whether the timing for the events is awkward for children or whether
the venue is intimidating. Further considerations are the safety of transport, the costs
and ease of travel, and whether accompanying adult support is needed.
•
Clear criteria are needed to cover when travel and expenses may be payable.
A budget and simple procedures for claiming ensure young people, who will lack
personal finances, are not prevented from taking part due to financial barriers.
Do not assume young people have bank accounts. Provide stamped addressed
envelopes where needed.
Case Study Youthbank
Youthbank is a new grant making initiative run
by young people – providing small grants to
other young people for projects of community
benefit. Local committees of young people
aged between 14 and their early 20s decide
policy, promote the scheme locally, invite
applications, assess proposals and decide
what to support and how to organise follow
up and monitoring. Each grant makers group
is supported by a host organisation such as a
Community Foundation, a local branch of the
Prince’s Trust, a youth project or a partnership
of like-minded organisations. Since 1999 the
National Youth Agency has provided lead
support for the UK partnership involving
Changemakers, the British Youth Council
and the Community Foundation Network.
During the 2000/2001 year Youthbanks funded
around 100 local young people led projects
involving around 150 young people in the
grant making process. Examples of projects
included funding the costs of a disabled
artist to work with a group of young people
developing a board game based on their
experience of being disabled (Bristol); funding
to enable young people to plan and evaluate
a ten week training programme on activities
and health issues (Bradford) and lighting for
a local play area (Tower Hamlets).Youthbank
projects benefit both the local community,
the young people who get involved in
particular projects, as well as developing the
skills of the young people who become local
grant makers.
Case Study Accessible playgrounds
In May this year Therese Hunt, an 11 year
old member of the CYPU Young People’s
Advisory Forum, attended a meeting of the
Havering Access Advisory Group (a local
authority partnership group that looks at all
access issues in the Borough). Only attending
by chance that evening (her mother is on the
group),Therese was asked for her views on
local play facilities. She expressed
disappointment that there were no play
facilities accessible to children with disabilities.
The group asked Therese to find out about
the kind of facilities that were available, which
she did and she presented her findings to the
group who were joined by local councillors
and representatives from Social Services, in
July.Therese found her research particularly
useful as it led her to discover the council
had legal obligations around the provision of
disabled play facilities of which she was not
previously aware.The council responded well
and has agreed to include facilities for disabled
children in all play grounds as they are
refurbished.The first accessible play facilities
are being installed shortly and Therese has
had input into these.The council has also
ensured that in future young people are
present at Access Group meetings to
ensure their views are taken on board.
19
Section 5
Next steps and action plans
Setting priorities
With the right training, support and information, children and young people can play
a role in many aspects of departmental business and the extent of departmental
strategies for participation could be very wide. In practice departments will need and
want to prioritise their activities. They will want to ensure that children’s participation
in particular policy and service areas is proportional to the relevance of the policy to
children and young people themselves. For example children and young people might
engage more easily with transport issues, than with departmental resource budgeting
practices. Participation might begin in some priority areas and be expanded across
other departmental areas once experience and capacity has been built up.
Case Study Peer research project –
Enterprise Careers Service London and the South East
This peer research project explored the image
of the careers service both for young people
who use the service and those who do not.
For existing clients the aim was to evaluate the
effectiveness of the service and in particular to
identify good practice.The project also sought
to identify why some young people do not use
the service and to discover how the careers
service could be made more relevant to their
needs and aspirations.
Young people acted as researchers and
interviewed other young people.This elicited
20
more accurate and honest responses from the
interviewees. Users were mostly interviewed
at the careers centre. Non-users were
interviewed ‘on their own turf ’ in the streets
and through youth clubs, schools, colleges
and other places frequented by young people.
The peer research technique was an effective
way to conduct research on young people.
Interesting findings and a range of responses
were generated which ordinarily may have
been suppressed.
Action planning
The Children and Young People’s Unit will ask all main departments to draw up an action
plan for introducing and implementing strategies for involving children and young people
in their work, in accordance with the core principles.The action plans should be
published by the department alongside their departmental reports in April 2002, for
implementation from April 2002 onward.The Children and Young People’s Unit will be
available to support departments in progressing this work, and will be consulting
shortly on how best to do this.
Departments will be responsible for including the work and practices of the agencies
and service deliverers for which they are responsible. It will be for departments to
decide where to focus their efforts and to consider how much new work can be
realistically planned for and delivered in the first and subsequent years. In doing so
they will engage their agencies fully in discussions about when and how the latter too
might get involved in this work. We expect most action plans next year (2002-2003)
will include a focus on developing awareness amongst managers and staff, on mapping,
and on planning and building capacity. However we would also expect to see early
pilots and experiments of participation approaches.
Departments will be asked to set out:
• their strategies for implementing the core principles;
• their priorities for action and the timescale for implementing the strategies;
• how they have made a visible commitment to participation in accordance
with the principles;
• an outline of specific events or initiatives envisaged and structures for
involvement put in place at national or local levels;
• how capacity within the department is being developed and supported;
• plans for evaluating participation activities.
21
Monitoring and reporting
The Children and Young People’s Unit will monitor the implementation of departmental
action plans. It will invite departments to submit periodic reports of progress with
a view to publishing an annual report of participation activities in government
departments and for public services.The first annual report will be in April 2003.
The Unit will also seek to provide a measure of co-ordination ensuring that any new
structures or initiatives which emerge in departmental strategies do not duplicate or
confuse action already in train elsewhere. It will also commission further work to identify,
assess and disseminate the positive benefits to policies and services from the
involvement of children and young people.This will include exploring and sharing
with departments effective approaches to giving children and young people real
choices over some of the important issues departments are tackling in their work.
Case Study Quality Protects
Quality Protects is a Department of Health
(DoH) national initiative aimed at improving
the life chances of all children in need,
particularly children in care and disabled
children. Participation is integral to the entire
QP programme. A Code of Practice for the
QP project teams has been produced, giving
guidelines and practical advice on how best to
work with children and young people when
developing policy.There is a national QP
young persons’ reference group involving a
group of 20 young people aged between 15
and 21 from local authorities from all over the
country and many authorities have their own
reference groups of young people.
22
DoH's Make it Happen roadshows have
made a difference. For example, as a result
of young people's comments made at a
roadshow, DoH has published clearer advice
for councils on how best they should handle
'sleepovers' and overnight stays with friends
for looked after children.
Those delivering services also believe that
children and young people’s improved
involvement in discussions, for example about
their care arrangements, are an important
means to provide better protection and more
responsive care arrangements for children
being looked after.
Annex – useful contacts
CYPU
Sue Corsan 020 7273 5353 [email protected] and Kate Sargant
020 7273 1197 [email protected] lead on the core principles within
the Children and Young People’s Unit
External organisations
The following organisations have considerable experience of work with
children and young people, or participation, or both. They are happy to be
contacted and provide what support they can to departments. Please be
aware that the organisations’ capacity to help individual departments will
depend on demand and workloads.
Article 12
About the
organisation
A project of the Children's Rights Alliance for England, Article 12 is run
by a steering group of 20 young people aged under 18.The organisation
campaigns for full implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights
of the Child (UNCRC), and focuses mainly on raising awareness of the
UNCRC. Article 12 promotes participation, consultation and democratic
opportunities for young people to learn about getting heard, having a voice
and becoming active citizens. They are due to launch a Children's Rights
Information Pack by Easter 2002
Support
available
Article 12 can offer advice over the phone and signpost departments to
other sources of information. They are happy to comment on good
practice to look at documents, and to provide speakers.
Contact
Keith Harrison 01305 880059 [email protected]
Barnardo’s
About the
organisation
Barnardo's is a large children's charity that provides services for 53,000 children,
young people and their families. In its current 5 year plan, Barnardo's has
expressed a commitment towards 'establishing the means whereby the
perspective and participation of children and young people is embedded as
23
a normal and regular part of the way we work'. To this end, a number
of initiatives around involving children and young people have been
established. These range from dedicated Participation Officer posts in
some regions, service user groups and councils in some projects and a
pilot initiative – The Voice Project. This initiative is a two year pilot which
aims to increase children and young people’s participation on a number
of levels.
Support
available
Barnardo’s can offer telephone advice and information, and good practice
examples.They would be happy to contribute to the organisation and content
of seminars and workshops and to provide speakers for events.They could
also offer access to service users and Voice Initiative workers via Pam Hibbert
(Initiative Manager).
Contact
Pam Hibbert 020 8498 7746 [email protected]
British Youth Council
About the
organisation
The British Youth Council (BYC) is a charity run by young people for young
people; all the trustees are under 26. It is the national youth council involving
young people from over 140 youth organisations and local youth councils. It
represents the views of young people to government and decision-makers and
promotes active citizenship, campaigning to ensure that all young people are
able to participate fully within their own communities and the wider society.
Support
available
The British Youth Council offers help and advice by phone, fax, email and in
person. BYC runs a range of training courses and networking events and
produces various publications.These include a series of best practice guides
and Youth Index, its monthly information service about young people.
Contact
Bill Freeman 020 7422 8645 [email protected]
The Bibini Centre for Young People
24
About the
organisation
The Bibini Centre is based in Manchester and provides accommodation
and support and advice for black children especially children in care and
care leavers.
Support
available
Bibini can help departments in the first instance with telephone enquiries.
They would be happy to work in depth on issues involving black children
and young people.
Contact
Yoni Ejo 0161 881 8558 [email protected]
Carnegie Young People Initiative
About the
organisation
The Carnegie Young People Initiative seeks to increase the breadth and
improve the quality of young people's (aged 10-25) involvement in public
decision-making, and to promote opportunities for young people to express
their opinions. To encourage organisations to listen to young people and
involve them in decision making. Reports have been published on all UK
countries.There will be reports, in the future, on other selected countries,
democracy and young people, training and support needs for participation.
Support
available
Carnegie can provide advice over the phone, information about good practice,
signposting to other sources of information and visits to/from Carnegie.
They are also happy to look at documents, provide speakers for events etc.
Carnegie also has a Young People’s Involvement Group (group of around
40 young people who advise the organisation) who may be able to offer
support to projects.
Contact
David Cutler 020 7401 5460 [email protected]
Children’s Express
About the
organisation
Children’s Express aims to give young people (aged 8-18) the power and means
to express themselves publicly through journalism. Children research, report and
write stories on subjects of their choice that are published or broadcast across
the media.The focus is on peer training and reaching the authentic, unmediated
voice of young people. Children’s Express is currently developing a website as a
classroom resource for citizenship in 2002.
Support
available
Children’s Express would be able to provide advice over the phone and direct
enquiries to the relevant sources.They are also willing to look over documents.
Contact
Christopher Wyld 020 7833 2577 [email protected]
Children’s Play Council
About the
organisation
The Children’s Play Council researches and campaigns for improved play
opportunities for all children. It is currently undertaking a review of 70 local
consultations with children about their needs and wishes in relation to their free
– time activities.This will be published in conjunction with DCMS in March 2001.
Support
available
The Children’s Play Council can offer telephone advice and information
and sign-posting to best practice work. Issy Cole-Hamilton has considerable
experience in consultation, especially with disabled children.
Contact
Issy Cole-Hamilton 020 7843 6304 [email protected]
25
Children’s Rights Alliance for England
About the
organisation
The Children's Rights Alliance for England (CRAE) promotes the improvement
of status and lives of all children in England, especially those living in poverty,
through promoting the implementation of the UN Convention of the Rights
of the Child (UNCRC).The organisation has experience of supporting
organisations to consult, and to promote children and young people's
effective participation in decision making. Its key areas of work are: public
policy advocacy; provision of training to service providers and young people;
and the circulation of up to date information on all aspects of children's
human rights. CRAE co-ordinates the NGO campaign for a children's rights
commissioner for England and supports the members of the Young People's
Rights Network. The organisation plans to pilot a national translation service
at the end of 2001 to translate all relevant consultation documents and Bills
for 12-18 year olds.
Support
available
CRAE can offer telephone advice and information and can direct people to
other useful organisations.They are happy to supply speakers for meetings and
events (including members of the Youth Rights Network).They have considerable
experience in participation especially on the relevant parts of the UNCRC.
Contact
Carolyne Willow and Veronica Plowden 020 7278 8222
[email protected] [email protected]
Children’s Rights Officers and Advocates (CROA)
26
About the
organisation
CROA seeks to: promote and assist local authorities in establishing locally based
children’s rights, advocacy and participation services; support children’s rights,
advocates and participation officers throughout England and Wales; promote
and disseminate good practice; train and support young people looked after
to actively participate within the authorities, as trainers, evaluators, consultants
etc.The organisation is currently looking at developing services for children
and young people in the mental health services and young offender institutes.
CROA has produced training materials and offers training to adults and young
people on participation.
Support
available
CROA is keen to encourage direct consultation with young people.They can
offer training in participation issues.They will answer telephone queries, provide
information about good practice, and look at documents. CROA could provide
speakers for events and organise visits to/from the organisation.
Contact
Kate Gledhill 020 8748 7413 [email protected]
The Children’s Society
About the
organisation
The Children’s Society is a Christian social justice organisation that works
with children and young people in England and Wales in over 100 projects.
The work covers issues such as children's participation, health, safer
communities, young runaways, education, youth justice, poverty and housing.
Support
available
The Children’s Society is a practice based organisation. It is happy to: offer advice
on the phone; provide information about good practice; signpost departments
to other sources of information; arrange visits to/from the Children’s Society;
look at documents; provide speakers and other support for events etc.
Contact
Sarah Hetherington 020 7841 4409 [email protected]
or Bill Badham 0115 942 2974 [email protected]
Council for the Disabled Child
About the
organisation
The organisation promotes and collaborates on work and partnerships
between various agencies, parents and children. It provides a national forum
for discussion, development and dissemination of a wide range of policy and
practice issues relating to service provision and support for children and
young people with disabilities and special educational needs.
Support
available
Council for the Disabled Child is happy to answer telephone queries and to
sign-post departments to relevant resources.
Contact
Maria Bremmers 020 7843 1900 [email protected]
Health Development Agency (HDA)
About the
organisation
The HDA was created to support and enhance national efforts to improve
the health of people living in England and reduce inequalities in health.
Working with a range of national and regional partners and networks, it is
playing an important role in assessing – and then disseminating – information
about what works to improve the public's health.
Support
available
The HDA offers expert advice and guidance, support for the development
of standards, and resources and training for those involved in improving public
health – within the NHS, local government and the regions.They are happy to
receive telephone enquiries etc.
Contact
Marilyn Toft 020 7413 1929 [email protected]
27
HDA – Schools and Young People’s Health Team
About the
organisation
The work of the Schools and Young People’s Health Team is funded by DoH
and DfES. It comprises three strands – the Young People’s Health Network,
National Healthy School Standard and Wired For Health.
The Young People’s Health Network (YPHN) is concerned with the health
of young people in England.The network aims to encourage the exchange of
information, ideas, research findings and good practice; the involvement of
young people in health promotion initiatives; links with other networks and
organisations to reach the widest possible audience.Training and guidance
materials on how to consult, involve and evaluate the participation of young
people in health promotion activities are being developed.
The National Healthy School Standard (NHSS) is currently quality assuring
the services on a range of health related issues offered to schools and their
local communities by local education and health partnerships. Local healthy
schools programmes managed by these partnerships provide evidence to
a team of national assessors to demonstrate that they have met the
requirements of the Standard. Local programmes are encouraged to involve
children and young people both at a local planning level and in consultation
on policy development in schools, as well as in taking responsibility for
aspects of school life and the environment. Support is offered to local
programmes by the national team based at the HDA on this issue in the
form of support materials, newsletters and regional events.The NHSS is also
working alongside the YPHN in delivering the work on evaluating the impact
of young people's participation.
Wired For Health www.wiredforhealth.gov.uk offer a series of websites for
teachers and young people at Key Stages 1, 2, 3 and 4 on a range of health
issues. It is currently building a database of good practice including examples
of young people’s participation both in and out of school.
28
Support
available
Could offer briefings, seminars, advice and guidance as well as information
on and examples of good practice, especially in the area of young people’s
participation and health inequalities, for in and out of school settings. Both
YPHN and NHSS have a network of contacts that could be utilised for the
rollout of projects and initiatives.
Contact
Mark Jennett 020 7413 1868 [email protected]
National Association of Teachers of Travellers
About the
organisation
The National Association of Teachers of Travellers (NATT) is proactive in
areas of education, record and transfer systems, distance learning and
new technology, secondary education, early years education for mobile
children, circus children's education and structuring national and
international networks. The focus is on improving the education of Gypsy
and Traveller children by liasing at local, national and European levels.
It has an important role in facilitating the sharing of ideas and good
practice. Over the years the network of teachers, through the support
of NATT, has progressed in providing professional support and a system
of continuity of schooling for children as they travel. The aim is to draw
attention to the educational rights of Gypsies and Travellers where they
are not being met and seek justice.
Support
available
NATT can offer telephone advice and provide information about good practice,
as well as signposting to other sources of information. They would be happy
to arrange visits to/from NATT, to look at documents, and to provide
speakers for events.
Contact
Marion Rowlands 01454 862620 [email protected]
National Black Youth Forum
About the
organisation
The National Black Youth Forum (NBYF) is a children and young person
led organisation that exists to protect and promote the rights of children
and young people of Asian, African and Caribbean heritage in the UK.
The organisation aims to promote good race relations between these
groups and wider society by combating discrimination in all its
manifestations.
Support
available
The Forum is young people led and is able to offer departments young
people as advisors or speakers.The Forum is also happy to offer telephone
support and advice to departments.
Contact
Robert McFarlane 020 8741 4054 x103
[email protected]
29
National Children’s Bureau
About the
organisation
The National Children's Bureau (NCB) promotes the interests and well-being
of all children and young people across every aspect of their lives. Current
work focuses on: promoting participation and young citizenship; ensuring
effective care, education and support; communicating positive attitudes and
images; enhancing health and well-being; celebrating diversity and valuing
difference. NCB ensures the views of young people are listened to and taken
into account; plays an active role in policy development and advocacy;
promotes multidisciplinary, cross-agency partnerships, identifying and
developing good practice; disseminates information to all interested parties;
undertakes high quality research. Knowledge is mainly shared through the
growing network of members who come from various statutory and voluntary
organisations as well as private individuals.The NCB advises, evaluates and
trains local government as well as other organisations on a range of issues
affecting young people. Advice is also given to central government and to the
All Party Parliamentary Group of Children and Young People. NCB works
closely with regional and national government to assist in the development of
policies and practices that service the interests of children.They aim to involve
children and young people in this work wherever possible.
Support
available
NCB can offer telephone advice, visits to/from the organisation, support
for events including speakers, looking over documents, signposting to other
sources of information. The NCB has a young members programme and
depending on demand may be able to provide access to children and young
people for events and consultation.
Contact
Kathleen Cronin 020 7843 6092 [email protected]
National Children’s Bureau – Rural Forum
About the
Organisation
30
The aim of the Rural Forum is to bring together a wide range of organisations
to ensure that young people (aged 0-18) in rural settings across England are heard,
and to foster awareness of the rural dimension in government policy development
at all levels and influence policy and practice with those planning services for young
people in rural areas. Currently the Forum is developing a Youth Forum event for
the Food Standards Agency and enhancing young people’s participation in rural
decision-making, including work with the Experts in their Fields video. A number of
seminars are proposed over the next six to eight months to address a range of
rural issues including the impact on young people following the implementation of
the Rural White Paper, social exclusion and minority young people in rural England
and public transport for rural young people. These will draw in members across
the sectors including young people themselves.
Support
available
The Forum is happy to take telephone queries, meet with departments,
look over documents, speak at events etc.
Contact
Andrew Brown 020 7843 6327 [email protected]
NCH
About the
organisation
NCH is a children's charity whose aim is to improve the quality of life of the
most vulnerable children and young people. It runs projects for young people
in a variety of areas including disabled children, children in and leaving care,
families in need of support, children who have been sexually abused and
young people with drug, alcohol and substance abuse.
NCH runs a partnership programme with the National Association of Youth
Theatres which uses the youth arts to give young people a voice.The programme
works with a new group of young people every year and therefore avoids the risk
of professionalising young people whilst spreading the opportunities provided by
the programme as widely as possible. At a project level NCH is committed to
involving children and young people in the design and operation of services.
Support
available
NCH can offer advice on the phone and information about good practice,
and can signpost departments to other sources of information.They are
happy to facilitate consultation opportunities between government
departments and the young people with whom the organisation works.
Contact
Amanda Allard 020 7704 7122 [email protected]
NCVYS (National Council for Voluntary Youth Services)
About the
organisation
The NCVYS is an independent national organisation that represents and
supports the interests of voluntary youth organisations. Its membership
comprises national voluntary youth organisations and local and regional
Councils for Voluntary Youth Services. The organisation aims to ensure
development and recognition of a vibrant, sound and diverse voluntary
and community sector that involves, empowers and meets the needs of
all young people.Youth participation is a key area of work. The organisation
employs a Youth Participation Officer. The NCVYS recognises and
encourages the involvement of young people at every level of its work.
The organisation influences policy by representing the view of the
voluntary youth sector to decision makers on issues that have an impact
at a local, regional and national level.
31
Support
available
NCVYS can provide telephone advice and support.They have experience
of organising seminars and working with government officials to discuss issues
of concern.
Contact
Esta Orchard 020 7422 8636 [email protected]
NCVCCO
(National Council of Voluntary Childcare Organisations)
About the
organisation
NCVCCO exists to ensure the well-being and safeguarding of children and
families through maximising the voluntary sector’s contribution to the provision
of services. NCVCCO provides an information service through print and on
the web. The organisation consults its members on Government policy
proposals across a broad range of issues and represents members (or provides
members with the opportunity to represent themselves) in discussions with
departments.There are currently over 100 members. NCVCCO works with
a broad range of government departments.
Support
available
NCVCCO provides a print and web based information service, and can
signpost to other sources of information and practice, drawing on the specific
expertise of it members. With the overview perspective the small staff team
can often identify potential speakers, or can contribute directly to conferences
and seminars.
Contact
Ian Vallender 020 7833 3319 [email protected]
National Early Years Network
About the
organisation
32
The network promotes the interests of children aged 0-8 by providing
practical support to and acting as a voice for early years services across
the public, voluntary and private sectors. Members include Early Years
Development and Childcare Partnerships, Local Education Authorities,
nursery schools, social services and childminders. Key areas of work are:
running a national training programme; publishing a list of practical publications
written by practitioners for practitioners; hosting policy and practice-related
seminars and events; offering advice to national policy makers on early years
issues; and giving a voice to early years practitioners and the children and
families they work with. NEYN produces a quarterly journal with up to date
coverage of news, best practice and policy issues and views about current
contentious issues.
Support
available
NEYN is an organisation with a large membership but a small staff team.
Nevertheless, it would be happy to receive telephone enquiries from
departments, and to signpost people to good practice examples and other
sources of information.
Contact
Eva Lloyd 020 7607 9573
National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children
About the
organisation
The NSPCC is a charity specialising in child protection and the prevention
of cruelty to children. It operates over 180 projects in England, Wales and
Northern Ireland in co-operation with other agencies and organisations
including children's charities, social services and the police. Projects include
support for abused children, support for children in court, work with
schools, and a free confidential 24 hour child protection helpline. The
NSPCC have set up Young People Advisory Groups (YPAGs) to involve
young people in the policy and practice development of the NSPCC's
work and in the design of community and local authority services.
Support
available
NSPCC offers telephone advice, information about good practice,
publications, signposting to other sources of information.They can also
provide: visits to projects, consultation on documents produced by
departments, speakers for events and opportunities for participation
with young people.
Contact
Sarah Webb 0117 966 4290 [email protected]
Mitzi Wakefield 07866 543525 mwakefi[email protected]
A National Voice
About the
organisation
A National Voice is run by and for young people who are or have been in
care.They are a mixed group from all over England.The organisation aims to
get rid of the poor image of young people in care, to stop mistreatment of
young people in care, and to have an effect on government decisions about
the care system.
Support
available
A National Voice can provide advice on the phone, information about good
practice, signposting to other sources of information.They can also provide
access to groups of children and young people.
Contact
Maxine Wrigley 0161 953 4011 offi[email protected]
33
NYA (National Youth Agency)
About the
organisation
The NYA aims to advance youth work to promote young people's personal
and social development and their voice, influence and place in society. It
provides resources to improve work with young people and its management
encourages innovation and best practice and secures standards of education
and training for youth work. Recently it has focused on advising government
departments and local authorities on how to effectively engage young people
in decision-making about local democracy and public services.
Support
available
The NYA can offer advice over the phone.They also offer information
on good practice, and will signpost to other organisations or sources
of information.
Contact
Harry Wade 0116 285 3776 [email protected]
Lynne Evans 0116 285 3742 [email protected]
The Refugee Council
About the
organisation
The Refugee Council is a registered charity that gives practical help to
asylum seekers and refugees, advancing their rights both in the UK and
abroad. The children’s section of the Refugee Council comprises the Panel
of Advisors for unaccompanied refugee children and the Cedars which is
a semi-independent hostel for young asylum seekers. The panel is funded by
the Home Office to help the children through the complexities of the
asylum process and in accessing appropriate statutory and non-statutory
services. Central to the work is the belief that the refugee children are
children first with an absolute right to care, protection and respect. Apart
from casework for the most vulnerable children they have developed a
drop in service in Brixton to help the children contact statutory service
providers such as social services as well as offering them a number of
other facilities including food, health advice and the Red Cross family
tracing facility. The panel of advisers currently provides a service to
children across the UK.
Support
available
The refugee council is well placed to offer support to those responsible for
providing services that are accessed by refugee children. They are happy to
take telephone queries and to signpost to other refugee organisations and
sources of information.
Contact
Lucy Bryson 020 7582 4947 [email protected]
34
Save the Children
About the
organisation
Save the Children, England programme (part of SC UK) has prioritised the
general promotion of the rights of children and young people and, in particular,
their involvement in decisions that affect them over the planning, design and
delivery of services.There is a particular focus upon the most marginalised
groups and on the issues of child poverty, refuge and asylum, education and
violence.
Support
available
Save the Children can offer direct support to facilitate the involvement of
children and young people in consultations, reviews, evaluation and other
management tasks.The organisation can refer departments to a wide range of
practical examples of good participation practice in the UK and Europe. It also
has working partnerships with a range of children and young people led
organisations that are expert in areas such as social exclusion, discrimination
and citizenship and are willing to provide advice, training and similar activities.
Contact
John Errington 0113 242 4844 ext 210 [email protected]
United Kingdom Youth Parliament (UKYP)
About the
organisation
The UKYP is an apolitical organisation composed of representatives aged
between 11 and 18 elected by their peers from across the UK. It is run by a
small team operating through a registered charity, Democracy for Young People.
The board of trustees is made up of young people, national organisations and
parliamentarians. The UKYP gives a voice to young people which enables them
to be involved in a democratic process at a national level whilst empowering
them to take positive action in their local communities. It actively encourages
the involvement of all young people regardless of background.The first Youth
Manifesto was published in Spring 2001. It is currently planning for the next
round of elections (from late October to January 2002). Groups meet regularly
based on regions and themes.The next national sitting is due to take place in
Leeds at Easter 2002. An advisory group has been formed which gives
interested organisations an opportunity to become involved.The UKYP is
currently providing monthly inputs to the Connexions Service National Unit
and is presenting evidence to The Home Affairs Select Committee on Drugs.
Support
available
UKYP can offer input, views, focus groups, speakers etc on any issues or policy
developments that are of interest or concern to young people.Through its
members (MYPs) and supporters, UKYP is able to draw on young people
from all parts of the country and from all backgrounds and communities.
Contact
Peter Clarke 0121 202 2355 / 01252 844241 / 0790 167 0727
[email protected]
35
Who Cares? Trust
36
About the
organisation
The Who Cares? Trust is a national charity in the childcare field. Its aim
is to improve public care for young people in the UK living in foster and
residential care along with central and local government as well as the
voluntary sector and young people themselves. A range of development
programmes for professionals and carers in local authorities to improve
practice in education, health and well-being and preparation for
independence have been created, with young people’s involvement,
to improve the opportunities and image for children in public care.The
Who Cares? Trust produces a number of publications including a national
publication for children in public care that is purchased by most local
authorities in the UK. This includes contributions from children. There is
also a telephone Linkline service and CareZone – an interactive online
service for children in public care. Both of these initiatives deliver information
to young people on a number of issues including education and health.
Support
available
The organisation is happy to provide advice and support over the telephone.
They would also be prepared to arrange visits and speakers (including young
people if appropriate).
Contact
Jenny Robson 020 7251 3117 [email protected]
Copies of this document can be obtained from:
Dfes orderline Tel 0845 6022260
PO Box 5050
Sherwood Park
Annesley
Nottinghamshire
NG15 0DJ
Email: [email protected]
Ref no CYPUCP1
This document is available on the CYPU website
www.dfee.gov.uk/cypu
© Crown copyright November 2001
Extracts from this document may be reproduced for non commercial
or training purposes on condition that the source is acknowledged